Monthly Archives: May 2016

St Mark’s Bell Tower, Venice

April 2016

St Mark’s bell tower is located in a corner of St Mark’s Square near the front of the basilica. It is also called St Mark’s Campanile meaning a free-standing bell tower. It is 98.6 metres high and true to the meaning of ‘campanile’, it stand detached from St Mark’s Basilica. At this height, the bell tower is the tallest building in Venice.

At the top of the tower there are 5 huge bells and around it, there is a viewing gallery where you can have a 360° view of Venice island. You go up (and down) the tower by lift where you can admire and photograph the views of the island. The lift cost €8 and is operational from 9:00 a.m. You buy your tickets at the counters in the bell tower building below.

On the day of our visit, it was raining, wind blowing and cold. Up In the tower, haze in the distance obstruct what would have been a panoramic view. Nonetheless, it was worth the entrance fees as you would not get this kind of views from any other nearby buildings.

St Mark’s bell tower in St Mark’s square in-front of the Basilica.

Gondola in-front of St Mark’s square.

Slightly away from the gondolas is the water bus stop.

The domes of St Mark’s basilica.

St Mark’s square from the bell tower.

South-eastern edge of Venice island.

Across the Grand canal, basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.

San Giorgio & Lido Island across the canal.

The causeway joining the mainland to Venice island.

Over looking another section of Venice.

The huge bells atop the tower.

sampaisudah.com was lucky the bell did not ring.

Halal Food, Venice

April 2016

Our choice of choosing to stay at Hotel San Salvador was also due to the fact that halal food is obtainable from a couple of halal eateries nearby. You would definitely get kebab from these eateries but they also serves pizza, rice and curry among others. Expect to spend €7-10 for your meal.

We do come across a few more halal eateries during our walkabout and if you care to google or do a ‘Street View’ search, you’ll find a couple more. Quite a surprise to find plentiful halal eateries in Venice. There is another eatery close to Santa Lucia train station with ‘halal’ signs on every pillar of the shop. It has high ratings on Tripadvisor and Arab families eat there too. But my investigative questioning made me have huge doubts on its status. You have to decide for yourself.

One matter I do recommend for you to ask the eateries where they obtain their supplies and to look out for a ‘Halal’ certificate in the shop.

Location of halal shops nearby Hotel San Salvador.

This no name halal shop is located at 267, Ruga dei Spezieri. Coming down from the Rialto Bridge, that street will lead you to this halal shop. Just look out for the shop number.

Mr. Munir Husin will be at the counter to attend to your order.

Dahabibi Kebab run by Egyptians is another halal outlet located at Sottopassaggio Madonnetta.

Interior of Dahabibi Kebab. Quite a variety.

Location map of Crash Pizza & Kebab. It’s located behind St Mark’s basilica. Looks like it’s a distance from the basilica but not actually.

Crash Pizza & Kebab shop front. The signboard (not in view) is just above the counter windows.

Mr. Nor Rahman will be attending to you.

Venice, Italy

April 2016

Arriving Venice by train, you will exit Santa Lucia train station and be greeted by the sight of Grand Canal. Across you will see the San Simeone Piccolo church with its light green dome. There are a number of water bus stops to take you to your destination on and off the island. There are numerous attractions in Venice among those is the Rialto Bridge, St Mark’s square, St Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Campanile, Dodge Palace, Grand Canal, Murano Island, Burano Island, Gondola ride and much more. The quiet back lanes of Venice is also pleasant to photograph.

While the major attractions on the island is posted here, the other attractions command a post by itself which will follow namely Grand Canal, Gondolas, canals & bridges, Murano Island & Burano Island.